At the moment we are not sure how Hardik Pandya will do as a bowler on debut. But there are some points of interest in his debut innings, which was 50 at No 8 with three sixes.

We first see the list of those who scored a fifty-plus at No 8 on debut. This may have been in either innings.

Pandya is no 43 and last on the list. James Neesham has the record of 137* made against India not long ago. 7 batsmen have made centuries on debut at No 8, including RH “Deepak” Shodhan from India who had a short Test career. And there is BR Taylor who also took a five-for. This fifty was Albie Morkel’s only Test innings.

For batsmen from India, at No 8 on debut:

A short list, including Binny junior.

We also look at the most sixes on debut (regardless of batting position).

3 or more sixes in an innings on debut:

Pandya is the the first from India to hit 3 6s in an innings on debut. It can be seen that MJ Clarke and a few others have hit 3 or more against India, though the record is 9 by Southee against England a few years ago. He also took a fiver in the same Test.

Finally, we look at all batsmen from India who scored at least one six on debut:

Pandya tops this list, while Dhawan and Raina are among those who hit two sixes. Further down, Dilawar Hussain, CS Nayudu and PH Sharma hit a six in each of their innings on debut. And SN “Shute” Banerjee included a six in his total of 8. A tailender of note here is MM Patel.